The temple is recognized as a monument in the Bagan Archeological Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Completed in 1150–51 during the reign of King Sithu I, the temple reflected the Bagan period's "innovative architectural and artistic creativity" and "an expression of the self-confident Burmese spirit of nationhood.

Just inside the southeastern corner of the old city wall, the Thatbyinnyu Temple was founded by King Sithu I of Bagan Dynasty in 1144/45.

[5]) The Thatbyinnyu is a five-story brick masonry building topped by a sikhara tower with a hti at the pinnacle.

[5] The temple exterior resembles a series of square "cubes", stacked on top of each other, separated by seven receding terraces.

[11] The interior of the temple consists of "pointed arches in the spacious hallways and barrel vaults in other areas".

[5] Bagan period scholar Paul Strachan calls Thatbyinnyu "an expression of the self-confident Burmese spirit of nationhood.

[15] In April 2019, a Chinese archaeological team began working on a nine-year project to restore the temple.